Christ before Herod c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Claudine Bouzonnet Stella's "Christ before Herod," a dramatic print held by the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so theatrical, like a stage set. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to how Stella uses the architectural setting to comment on power. Notice the imposing columns and arches, framing Herod as this larger-than-life figure, while Christ is almost swallowed by the crowd. How does that framing affect our reading of the scene? Editor: It definitely emphasizes Herod's authority and the vulnerability of Christ. The way the crowd surges around him...it feels chaotic and threatening. I guess it reflects the political climate of the time? Curator: Precisely. Prints like this circulated widely, shaping public perceptions of religious and political events. Stella’s choices in composition and perspective actively construct a narrative of injustice and the abuse of power. Editor: I hadn't considered how actively prints could shape those narratives. I'll definitely think differently about prints going forward. Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that images are never neutral; they always participate in broader social and political dialogues.